Mother’s Day, a wonderful day to celebrate the important moms in your life – and a great excuse to get into the kitchen and whip up some magic. If you look forward to holidays just so you can experiment with new recipes, techniques, and supplies, you’re not alone! We all love cookies, and special occasions are tailor-made for those who love to make them. This Mother’s Day, give the special mom in your life a sweet treat that shows her how much you care.

Basic Cookie, Spectacular Results

If Mom enjoys gardening and the great outdoors, create a garden cookie bouquet. You can purchase sets of garden cookie cutters, or you can make do with what you already have. Make your favorite sugar cookie recipe (chilling the dough before and after shaping will help the cookies keep their shape) and roll your dough about &frac12; again as thick as normal.

Cut your garden shapes; butterflies, flowers, ladybugs, watering cans, and seed packages are all cute ideas (and you can make ladybugs with regular circle cutters and seed packages with a square cutter or butter knife). Insert wooden skewers or craft sticks into the bottom of the cookies and bake. The thicker cookies will take a little longer to bake so keep your eyes on them to prevent burning.

When the cookies are cooled, use icing, decorating tips, colored sugars, edible markers, and candy bits to decorate in bright, summery colors. If the cookies are not going to be eaten right away, you can wrap each one with plastic wrap and tie with a ribbon. Place a piece of Styrofoam or florists’ foam in an unused plant pot or galvanized pail and insert the skewers. Cover the foam with tissue paper, and voila, a gorgeous, delicious cookie bouquet.

A New Arrangement

If your recipient really loves chocolate chip or oatmeal cookies, or another variety that doesn’t lend itself to being skewered, think about different ways you can present your cookie gift to her.

A gift basket starring cookies. You can fill in your container with teas, coffees, fruit, and other goodies.

Get treat bags and wrap each cookie individually. You can then write a sweet message on each. This is great if you have children who want to make a special mom a treat.

Use a fun container. Try a galvanized pail, a giant coffee mug, an elegant glass canister, a recipe box she can reuse, or give her cookie mix in a jar.

But you can also use cookies as the container. Why not make cookie bowls and fill them with a little baggie full of ice cream sundae accoutrements like sprinkles or sanding sugar or serve mom dessert in one of these fun bowls? You simply make your dough, flip over a muffin pan and form the dough over the cups. Bake and you have an edible bowl!

It’s the thought that counts, so be sure to put a little extra thought and care into your Mother’s Day cookies!

As everybody knows, the economic climate is making it very tough to find a job. This is especially true for those who are leaving education and attempting to embark on a career without any sort of work experience to fall back on, as many employers are likely to prefer those with a little more practical knowledge. If you know somebody who’s just about to embark upon the next stage of their life and enter the workforce, read on to find a gift idea that will suit them.

For Guys – A Good Tie

This is an item which is absolutely essential for anybody who is staring down the barrel of a dozen interviews, and one which many graduates could conceivably lack. Unless their college or family is in the habit of holding formal events, many young men will not have a decent tie to call their own, instead relying on whatever tired-looking rag that their Dad would trust them with. Try to get something which is silk and will go well with shirts of various colors. Bonus points if you also teach them to tie a half-Windsor knot!

A Cookbook

Chances are that your graduate went straight to college from home, where most (if not all) of their meals were prepared by Mom and Dad. Many students take advantage of meal plans offered by their school’s cafeteria, and if not, they probably order a whole lot of pizza. A decent cookbook can provide hundreds of recipes to suit virtually every taste and budget. A great example is How to Cook Everything, by Mark Bittman. This very popular publication boasts instruction on 2000 meals – that should be enough for anybody to survive on!

An E-Reader

Anybody who’s ever been to college knows that there’s a whole lot of reading involved. So much so that a recent graduate can be put off the activity for a quite a while after they receive their diploma! Make sure that they have one fewer excuse to rot their brain in front of the TV with this gift idea. E-readers are now available for well under $100 and enable the user to store many books without having to lug around a load of paperbacks wherever they go. You could also give them a gift card that will allow them to make their first online literary purchase.

A Blu-Ray Player

When your graduate moves into their first post-college apartment and gets a job, it’s pretty likely that they’ll be keen to move past the student phase of their life. With a 9am start each day, they won’t be hitting the bars and hosting house parties anywhere near as often, and will have to adjust to a quieter lifestyle. Unfortunately, their starting salary probably won’t fund all the things that they could use to entertain themselves, so why not help out by picking up a Blu-Ray player? This should help keep them distracted on a boring Wednesday night.

Shopping for Christmas presents can be a delight or a dilemma and much depends on whether you know exactly what to buy that special person, or whether you are racking your brains for inspiration.

The Sunday supplements and magazines in the lead up to Christmas are a great source of unusual and unique gift ideas which are worth noting. Similar and less expensive items are likely to be available at your local supermarket which is the ideal place to start the search for that perfect present. Most of the larger stores also stock a huge range of non-food items such as clothes, perfumes, books, electronics and toys, often at reduced prices to independent outlets.

For those difficult-to-buy-for relatives and friends, browse your supermarket and jot down a few potential ideas. What are their interests or hobbies?

For example, if they enjoy making cakes they would probably appreciate one of the latest baking books.

DVDs, which are sold in most supermarkets, are a clear present choice for all ages. From boxed sets of their favourite television series to the latest movies – or classic movies – there will be something for everyone. Non-fiction DVDs are also available on all manner of subjects from football to fitness.

While giving a little consideration to the age and possible health needs of your recipient; food and drink are always welcome and do not have to be expensive. A few carefully chosen items, such as a special packet of tea, chocolate biscuits, and perhaps a pretty cup and saucer, make a lovely gift.

Shopping for the wine buff is very easy. Your supermarket will stock a wide selection of excellent wines from all around the world and most adults appreciate a decent bottle of wine for Christmas. If your knowledge of wine is somewhat sketchy there will be staff on hand to advise you.

The chocolate lover is also catered for, with supermarkets at Christmas selling a range of gorgeous chocolates, including named and own- brands. large boxes of assorted centres, truffles, liquor chocolates and the chocolate Santas and snowmen which every child loves to find in their Christmas stocking.

Children are relatively simple to shop for. They generally know exactly what toys they want and the supermarket can provide them, along with plenty of small stocking fillers, games and stationery.

The beauty of all these Christmas presents is that every single one is available all under one roof from your local supermarket and at very competitive prices. No struggling to find somewhere to park in town, no trailing from shop to shop, no panicking that your on-line choices might arrive broken, or not arrive at all. Precious time, stress and money can be saved by starting early and it helps you to spread the cost.

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Vanessa is a blogger and work-from-home mum who writing about cooking and parenting, when not tied up by her two toddlers. She’s also into arts and crafts, likes things that glitter and any excuse for a childrens’ party.

Really ladies; how many ties, belts, pairs of slippers, and PJs does a man need? Between Christmas, birthdays, Father’s Day, and anniversaries, he could probably open his own shop! When your shopping list is long, and time to shop is short, grabbing that pair of slippers and a tie on the way to the register is almost all you can muster. I get it!

How about a little help this year?

1- Men’s Soft-shell Heated Jacket

Wrapped up in a shirt box, this lightweight jacket from Sharper Image will keep him toasty on the coldest of winter days with built-in heated panels that radiate from one to four levels of heat. Fully charged, he will enjoy 10 hours of amazing warmth.

2- Brera Orologi Watch

Good things come in small packages, and that could not be truer of this elegant series of watches from Italy. Featuring state-of-the-art materials coupled with extraordinary craftsmanship, any man would be delighted to sport a Brera Orologi watch!

3- Stainless Steel Pocket Compass

Tailored after an old-fashioned pocket watch and adorned with a world map inside the lid, engrave his initials on the front and this gift will make it a timeless family heirloom handed down from generation to generation. Crafted in the Scottish Highlands, this high-quality compass will continually guide him from mountain top back to you – his true north.

4- Golf Swing Video Recorder

If scoring a 72 on the green is on your guy’s bucket list, mounting this hands-free recorder to his golf bag might just be the gadget to help him check that one off the list. Recording every swing from head to toe for play back through the built-in screen while on the course or through your TV or his computer will help him make the necessary adjustments he needs to improve his game.

5- The Babolat Play and Connect Interactive Tennis Racquet

Every man on earth is always looking for ways to improve his sporting abilities. If your man is a high-tech loving tennis enthusiast, this gift is sure to knock his socks off! Embedded with a sensor in the handle, instant stats are downloaded over a wireless connection for review later on his computer or on the spot over his smartphone.

6- Wireless earbuds

What a great stocking-stuffer for the music loving jogger in the family. These no more tangles earbuds connect to any iPod, iPad, iPhone, Android, or Bluetooth enabled device from up to 32 feet away. Hands and wireless free, you just might want a pair of these for yourself!

7- 700G Plush Robe for Men

Just as he is stepping out of the shower or the hot tub, wrap him up in the pure luxury of Turkish cotton. Thick, absorbent, and oh so soft, he won’t be able to wait to put this robe on. You know what that means? Quicker showers for him, more bathroom time for you!

8-Wilson Tennis Bag Premium Leather Series

Crafted in full-grain, native Texas steer leather with premium hardware embellishments, swaggering onto the courts sporting this tennis bag will give every other player on the courts bag envy.

9-Portable Wood Fire Grill

Tailgating doesn’t get any better than this with steaks perfectly seared over a wood fire. I can smell the smoky flavor already! Made for tabletop use, the grill heats up in just minutes while the base stays cool. Bonus – no need to transport or rely on heavy propane or gas canisters that might be empty as this little gem uses a small piece of wood for fuel. Tuck in a pair of season tickets to see his favorite team and Santa will be kissing you all night!

10- Leather Head Vintage Football

For the man who has everything and loves to toss around a football while watching the game or talking on the phone, this USA handmade, high-quality leather ball looks and smells like extraordinary old leather.

No matter how many times he shakes, smells, or tumbles his gift, he will never guess what’s inside this time. That merry box under the tree with his name on it may look like just another pair of PJs or a rolled up belt, but get the camera ready – he is about to unwrap a very memorable Kodak moment!

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Suzi Martel, founder of In Suzi’s Words, is a freelance lifestyle writer, from Southern California, who has a passion for writing informative, entertaining copy on a variety of topics such as; sports, exercise, healthy living, and caring for others.

I have always loved gadgets and ever since I was a young kid I was always on the lookout for the latest laptop, the latest PDA, and the latest smartphone. As early as I can remember I owned a ZX Spectrum and an Einstein and since then I’ve owned some of the most cutting edge and bizarre phones and computers on the market. Hell, I even owned a Dell Streak and was only one of about 80-something people who bought one.

But to me this still isn’t enough, and while I do get a real sense of excitement when I open the box for my latest boy’s-toy, there are hundreds of things I can think of that would be much more awesome and fun. Here I’ll walk you through a few of the more exciting gadgets that I’ve either owned or pined after that can do more than just help with your everyday routine…

The JetLev

This is a relatively recent one but it’s something that has me instantly drooling. Essentially this is a jetpack that you strap to your back that allows you to fly, only unlike other jetpacks it works by using a powerful jet of water and can only be used over a body of water. That limitation aside this is the closest you can come to feeling like Iron man by hovering and swopping through the air, and it’s something you can guarantee none of your friends will have.

Telescope

A telescope has always been at the top of my ‘badly want’ list, along with space rocket. While I’ve yet to get a space rocket though, my sister recently surprised me with a Newtonian Reflector telescope for my birthday which has enabled me to look at the craters of the moon in crisp detail and even get into astrophotography. It looks like something that belongs at NASA and I’ve been able to see the rings of Saturn – it doesn’t get much more life affirming than that.

The GoPro HERO3 Silver Edition HD Camera

Okay so it’s not the most exciting looking thing in itself – it’s a camera that you mount to a hat – but what you will end up doing with it is awesome. Whether you’re free running across rooftops, or whether you’re hurtling down a mountainside on a mountain bike this will capture all the action from your POV in crisp HD. Great for boasting about your achievements on YouTube.

Powerbocks

This is another one I recently acquired and have been having a lot of fun with – they’re giant stilts with carbon fibre springs attached that let you run up to thirty miles an hour and do flips over cars. Pretty amazing.

Lamborghini Diablo

The number one boy’s toy though is undoubtedly an amazing car. Unfortunately I’m not quite in the wealth bracket to afford one of these beasts, but ever since I first saw one I’ve wanted it. The most exciting gadgets to me are the ones that let you go faster, that turn heads, and that you can climb into with lots of control panels – this ticks all those boxes.

The author, Kyle Brandt, is a gizmo lover. He is a walking encyclopedia of gadgets and technologies.